EurObserv'ER solid biomass report reflects growth in the EU

EurObserv’ER recently published its annual Solid Biomass Barometer, reporting that primary energy production from solid biomass is growing. The analysis estimates that primary energy production from solid biomass in the E.U. during 2012 increased to 82.3 million metric tons of oil equivalent (Mtoe). It also notes that the E.U. produced 79.5 terawatt hours (TWh) of electricity from solid biomass in 2012 and consumed 68 Mtoe of heat from solid biomass.

The report indicates that the E.U. consumed approximately 15.1 million metric tons of wood pellets in 2012, with worldwide consumption estimated between 22.4 million metric tons and 24.5 million metric tons. E.U. member states produced about 10.5 million metric tons of pellets in 2012, up from 9.5 million metric tons in 2011. EurObserv’ER estimates that approximately 30 percent of the E.U.’s pellet consumption came from imported sources in 2012. The U.S. exported about 1.764 million metric tons of wood pellets to Europe in 2012. Canada exported an estimated 1.764 million metric tons of pellets to the E.U. in 2012.

Germany topped the list of E.U. member states in both solid biomass production and consumption in 2012. The nation produced approximately 11.811 Mtoe of solid biomass in 2102 and consumed the same amount. France produced and consumed an estimated 10.457 Mtoe of solid biomass in 2012, followed by Sweden, which produced and consumed 9.449 Mtoe. The U.K. produced only 1.81 Mtoe of solid biomass in 2012, but consumed 2.473 Mtoe.

Sweden topped the list of E.U. member states with regard to total heat output from solid biomass. The country produced 2.356 Mtoe of thermal energy from solid biomass in 2012, including 1.554 Mtoe at combined-heat-and power (CHP) plants and 0.802 Mtoe at dedicated thermal facilities. Finland and Denmark rounded out the top three producers of biomass thermal energy in 2012.

France was the top consumer of heat from solid biomass in 2012, with 9.9 Mtoe. Sweden consumed the most heat from solid biomass in district heating applications, with 2.356 Mtoe. Sweden’s total heat consumption from solid biomass was 7.846 Mtoe in 2012.

Germany was the largest producer of electricity from solid biomass in 2102, with 12.191 TWh total, including 6.903 TWh from CHP plants. Finland produced 10.385 TWh of power, including 8657 TWh from CHP plants. Sweden produced 10.24 TWh, all at CHP plants.

The full report, which also lists the E.U.’s largest biomass plants, can be downloaded from the EurObserv’ER website.